Here are just a few topics for discussion in keeping with the themes "from queer theory to queer practice" and "critical queer thinking and self-reflection".
Contact us if you have additional topics to suggest.
General
- What are lgbtq(etc) organizations doing right to help lgbtq(etc) individuals? What needs to be changed?
Religion
- To what extent are non-heteronormative lifestyles compatible with various religions, or various religious positions?
- How do various religions present the spectrum of gender, sex, sexuality, and relationships?
Alternative Orientations
- To what extent should lgbtq(etc) organizations be presenting asexuality as a valid alternative for queer-questioning individuals?
- Does the presentation of asexuality as a valid orientation in any way undermine fight for lgbtq rights?
Alternative Relationship Styles
- Some organizations wish to present same-sex relations as loving and monogamous, while other organizations present polyamory as an equally valid alternative. Can this conflict be resolved? Is there even a conflict?
Gender & Gender Expression
- What are we to do about women-only spaces and those that adopt a feminine gender without a female sex?
- What is the true nature of gender and sex, and, given this nature, what are the implications for the lgbtq(etc) community?
- Gender abolition (eliminating the concept of gender in our society)? To what extent? Why? How? (Why not?)
Sexual Practices
- While lgbtq(etc) organizations tend to be more sex-positive, is there a contradiction in being abstinence-focused and queer friendly? While a “true love waits [for marriage]” attitude would be difficult for individuals in regions with no status for same-sex couples, such positions are possible in regions where same-sex relationships exist (in law) on the same level as opposite-sex relationships. What are the implications of various attitudes towards sex?
- Are the stereotypes often presented in pornography harmful? How, why, to what extent? Can we produce pornography that transcends these stereotypes?
Queer Language and Labels
- What does the word 'queer' mean? Should we be using it or avoiding it?
- Is the sex/gender distinction a useful one? If so, how should this distinction be promoted?
- Should we be trying to reclaim language or invent new language to describe non-heteronormative people?
- To what extent should we be pushing for the creation or destruction of labels that describe sexuality, gender, and relationship styles? What effect could each of these have?
- Under what circumstances does one qualify as __________? (Gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, bisexual, twin-spirited, queer, asexual, etc.) How flexible are these terms? How flexible should they be?
